Message from the President 

Our country is going through some very tough economic trials at present. We’ve seen layoffs, inflation, foreclosures, banking and business closures, bankruptcies and company relocations. Our area has not been immune to these economic strains. It makes a person wonder, “What’s next?”

At North Itasca we’ve seen power cost fluctuations, equipment cost increasing and fuel prices on the rise.

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Over the CEO's Desk  

I started writing my annual meeting article for about the tenth time and noted that all my previous attempts dove right into details on financial matters, CO2 legislation, rates, etc. Then I looked over at my article from last year and noticed that the photo of me was taken years ago and I should probably get a new one taken. Just to be on the safe side, I had my wife, Sandra, take a picture of me with her G-1 high tech, multifunctional cell phone with built in navigational abilities and internet cruising. She printed it out on her color laser printer with fax, copying and editing abilities. After comparing the two photos and attempting to hide a few of the wrinkles in the new photograph without success, I made the strategic decision to use the old photo and asked her to erase the new one. Too late! She said. It’s already out on MySpace.com and other web sites. Please! I said. Do what you can to get my photo back? I have no idea where it is now. I’m told that once it’s out there (wherever that is), it’s out there forever.

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Office Generations  

Since our last annual meeting, we have had a presidential election with a new president in office the beginning of 2009. “Time For Change,” stimulus packages, recession, near record unemployment, power cost adjustments, carbon tax and increased rates are all phrases we are hearing a lot about lately.

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Staff Assistant Report 

Rules! Rules! Rules! It seems every time we turn around there is a new rule or regulation that we must abide by. Though they may seem daunting most of these regulations are written to protect us in some form or fashion. If you recall, last fall I wrote an article about the “Red Flags” law. While the “Red Flags” deadline has been extended a couple of times we are still proceeding to implement the changes we need to make in order comply with this and other regulations, all of which are designed to protect you, your identity, your employees and your facilities.

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Load Management News 

Finally, spring has sprung. If you’re like me, you are thinking it was a long winter. Comparing 2008 with the five year average, weather information taken from the Bigfork airport shows temperatures being 9% colder last winter.

Regardless of the type of fuels used to heat our homes last winter, we all experienced an increase in our heating costs. Fuel oil, propane and even electric prices were high again as they were in 2007.

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Update from the Line Department 

Looking back over the past year, it seems high gas prices, recession and high inflation held our attention. Everyone felt the economic impact, as did North Itasca Electric.

High fuel prices increased our spending by almost $35,000 while new customer services declined. Historically crews build 90 to 100 new services a year, this last year 74 new services were added.

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June 2009 Calendar of Events 

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